. >> there were cheers in chicago and tears in boston. after the long, hard fight, it was all over for the challenger. >> like so many of you, paul and i have left everything on the field. we have given our all to this campaign. >> now, after the bruising campaign and facing a congress as divided as it was before the election, president obama and the country prepare for the next four years. >> thank you, america. god bless you. god bless these united states. >>> good wednesday morning, everybody. four years ago, barack obama stood on the brink of history, the morning after his election. now, four years later, he stands on the brink of a second term. >> the president has won re-election after a hard-fought campaign, saying he returns to the white house more determined and more inspired than ever. >> and he can claim a decisive and sweeping electoral victory over challenger, mitt romney. although, the popular vote is a lot tighter. >> but in the end, almost all of the key battleground states, including ohio and virginia, they went the presi